SupremeAnother headache by 3pm?
It starts as tightness at the base of your skull. By mid-afternoon it's a band round your forehead. Painkillers dull it, then it's back tomorrow. Most tension headaches start in the neck, not the head.
Nick Monczakowski 4.9 from 74 Google reviews · 13+ years
Different spot. Different source.
Where you feel it is a clue to which muscle is sending it. Nick works on the source, not the spot.
Base of the skull
Usually the suboccipitals, four small muscles where your neck meets your head. Tight in almost every desk worker.
Forehead band
Often referred from the suboccipitals and the back of the neck. Feels like your head is in a vice.
Temples
Commonly the upper trap and the jaw muscles. Clench your teeth at work? This could be you.
Behind the eye
Often the SCM, the muscle down the side of your neck. It can mimic sinus pain so closely that people get sent for sinus checks.
Cheek and sinus area
Another SCM pattern. If sinus treatment never quite worked, it may not be your sinuses.
One side, every time
Often a stiff upper neck on that side. Known as a cervicogenic headache because it starts in the neck.
The pain is in your head. The cause is in your neck.
It's referred pain.
Tight muscles in the neck and upper shoulders send pain into the forehead, temples and behind the eyes. Your head is just where you feel it.
Painkillers mute the signal.
They quiet the pain for a few hours. The tight muscles sending it haven't changed, so it comes straight back when the tablet wears off.
Your screen loads it all day.
Chin forward, shoulders up, eyes fixed. Eight hours of that and the same muscles are overloaded again by mid-afternoon.
The muscles behind the pain.
Suboccipitals
Small muscles at the base of the skull and the main source of most tension headaches. Releasing them is usually the biggest single change.
Upper trap & levator scapulae
Overloaded by a forward head. Upper trap knots send pain to the temple and the angle of the jaw.
SCM
The muscle down the side of your neck. It sends pain to the forehead and around the eye and often gets mistaken for sinus pain.
Upper neck mobility
A stiff upper neck is closely linked to headaches that start in the neck. Freeing it up eases the irritation behind them.
Headache myths. Busted.
“I just need more water.”
Tap to flip →Water helps if you're dehydrated. It won't release a neck that's been tight for months. If the headache comes back however much you drink, look at your neck.
“Painkillers are the answer.”
Tap to flip →They switch the pain off for a few hours. The tight muscles sending it are still there tomorrow. Treat the source and you need them less.
“It must be my eyes.”
Tap to flip →Get your eyes checked if you're due. If the test is fine and the headaches carry on, tight neck muscles are a far more common cause.
One hour. A clearer head.
- 01
Talk
When your headaches come on, where you feel them and what eases or worsens them.
- 02
Assess
Hands-on assessment of the base of the skull, neck, shoulders and upper back to find which muscles are sending the pain.
- 03
Treat
Careful, specific release, especially at the base of the skull where the biggest changes usually come from.
- 04
Plan
Desk setup tips and simple stretches to stop it building up again between sessions.
Tension gone. In their words.
“It focused on my back pain and tension/ knots in my neck and shoulders. I left the session pain-free, totally relaxed and with greater understanding of my body.”
Eva · Back, neck & shoulders“As a teacher, the physical and mental demands of the job had gradually built up tension in my body over time and I hadn't fully realised how much it was affecting me until I started these sessions.”
Daniel · Teacher“Was struggling with posture and unknown muscle tensions. Was able to identify most of it and relax the problem areas.”
Matthew · PostureBefore you book for headaches.
Can sports massage help tension headaches?
Yes. Tension headaches from tight suboccipitals, upper traps, levator scapulae and the SCM respond very well to targeted release. Those muscles send the pain you feel as forehead pressure, eye ache or a band round your head. Many people feel a clear difference within 24 hours of the first session.
How is a tension headache different from a migraine?
A tension headache usually feels like a band of pressure or an ache at the base of the skull, without nausea, visual changes or light sensitivity. A migraine is usually one-sided, more severe and comes with nausea, vomiting or an aura. Some people get both. Treatment helps tension headaches and the neck tension that can trigger migraines in some people.
How quickly will I feel relief from massage?
Most people notice fewer headaches and less neck tension within 24 to 48 hours of the first session. If you've had daily headaches for a long time it may take 2 to 3 sessions to feel consistent. One session is usually enough to tell whether it's working for you.
How many sessions will I need?
For frequent or chronic tension headaches, 3 to 4 sessions usually gives clear, lasting improvement. Many people then keep them away with a monthly session, especially desk workers and commuters.
Where is the practice?
Beverley Road, New Malden KT3 4AW. About a 10-minute walk from New Malden station with free street parking nearby. Open Monday to Friday, 11am to 7pm.
When to see your GP first
Call 999 or go to A&E straight away if you have a sudden, severe headache that peaks within seconds, a headache with a stiff neck, fever or rash, or one with weakness, confusion, slurred speech or loss of vision.
Call NHS 111 or see your GP before booking if you have headaches with any of these:
- A headache after a knock to the head
- Headaches that are new and you're over 50
- Headaches that wake you up or are getting steadily worse
- A headache with changes to your vision or that's worse when you lie down
Not sure? WhatsApp Nick a quick description first. If massage isn't the right first step, he'll tell you before you book.
Headaches rarely come alone.
Finish the day without the headache.
- £80 first session, assessment included
- Mon–Fri 11am–7pm
- Near New Malden station · free street parking
- Personal reply from Nick, usually same day
“He is really knowledgable and explains what he is doing and where he feels the underlying issue coming from.”